George Zinn, a 71-year-old man, was taken into custody at Utah Valley University after he falsely claimed to have shot Charlie Kirk. His actions have led to serious criminal charges that go far beyond his initial misleading confession. Zinn is now facing accusations of possessing graphic sexual photographs of children and felony obstruction of justice.
The situation unfolded shortly after Kirk’s assassination. Zinn approached law enforcement officers at the scene, claiming, “I shot him, now shoot me.” His erratic behavior raised immediate concerns among the officers, prompting them to detain him for questioning. However, Zinn’s condition worsened, and he was transported to a local hospital, where he later revealed the truth: he had not shot Kirk. Instead, Zinn stated he was attempting to create a diversion for the actual shooter to escape.
During his time at the hospital, Zinn allowed FBI agents to inspect his phone, at which point he confessed to having inappropriate images of minors stored on it. The investigation by the Utah County Special Victims Unit revealed over twenty explicit images of young children, ranging from five to twelve years old. These images depicted various stages of undress and sexual posing. Furthermore, investigators uncovered graphic sexual text threads in which Zinn had shared these images with others.
Law enforcement officials have charged Zinn with second-degree felony obstruction of justice in connection with the Kirk incident, as well as four counts of second-degree felony sexual exploitation of a minor. The gravity of these charges emphasizes the seriousness of his actions, which have no direct link to the shooting itself.
After being released from the hospital, Zinn was transferred to the Utah County Jail, where he awaits further legal proceedings. Detective Michael Dutson of the Utah Valley University Police recounted Zinn’s alarming claims in the affidavit. According to Dutson, Zinn was uncooperative when asked about the whereabouts of the weapon, responding, “I am not going to tell you.”
This is not Zinn’s first encounter with the law. He has a history of prior charges, including a conviction for making a terroristic threat during the Salt Lake City Marathon in 2013. Reports indicate that Zinn has often been seen attending political events and demonstrations, maintaining a reputation as a persistent figure in various public protests, particularly among Republican functions. His behavior has drawn significant attention, with sources describing him as a “gadfly,” known for his multiple arrests related to minor offenses, frequently involving allegations of trespassing.
The situation surrounding George Zinn raises questions about the motivations behind his actions, both in the incident regarding Charlie Kirk and the disturbing images found on his device. As authorities continue to unravel the details of this case, the implications of Zinn’s actions are likely to resonate throughout the community, highlighting issues related to public safety and the protection of minors.
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